# Automatic Transmission - Toyota **URL:** \ **Category:** General Discussion\ **Created:** [November 11, 2014, 7:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/automatic-transmission-toyota/88034 "2014-11-11T07:26:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Lizzard](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/4af34b/32.png) [@Lizzard](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Lizzard)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2014, 7:26am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/automatic-transmission-toyota/88034/1 "2014-11-11T07:26:11Z")
I just purchased a 2012 Toyota Corolla, and am thinking that automatic transmissions have changed since my last car! Do they automatically downshift when going downhill? I notice this especially when I take my foot off the accelerator or press the brake. Also, when driving on level roads, it feels like it doesn’t coast very far when I let off the gas (compared to my old Toyota). Like the engine is pulling back. Any thoughts? Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![insightful](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/insightful/32/2732_2.png) [@insightful](https://community.cartalk.com/u/insightful)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2014, 8:03am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/automatic-transmission-toyota/88034/2 "2014-11-11T08:03:04Z")
Toyotas used to release the torque converter clutch when coasting and now (apparently) they don’t. Why? Don’t know; maybe to reduce wear and tear on that clutch. ---
**Author:** ![Fender1325](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/96bed5/32.png) [@Fender1325](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Fender1325)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2014, 8:50am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/automatic-transmission-toyota/88034/3 "2014-11-11T08:50:17Z")
The only possible explanation I can think of: does it do this when fully warmed up? Our '07 toyota yaris tends to wind out the gears to higher rpm’s, staying in lower gears even while letting off the gas pedal - but only when cold. Once warmed up it doesnt act this way. It is noted as normal behavior in the owners manual. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2014, 11:05am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/automatic-transmission-toyota/88034/4 "2014-11-11T11:05:00Z")
The RPMs drop some (not to idle) on my '05 tC when I let my foot off the gas on a descent, and I get some engine braking. It would appear that the torque converter allows a difference between the engine and the drivetrain (which supports insightful’s comment that the TC clutch disengages) and the TC transmits enough of the car’s inertia to allow some engine braking as well. The difference in flywheel and tranny input shaft speeds is I’m sure being converted to heat energy by the torque converter. It doesn’t downshift. I’m thinking that if it did the engine RPMs would jump. Besides, I often downshift that manually and THEN the RPMs jump. I have no idea what a 2012 Corolla does. Or what it should do. ---
**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\ **Post date:** [November 11, 2014, 8:41pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/automatic-transmission-toyota/88034/5 "2014-11-11T20:41:04Z")
This is from the U140E AND U241E AUTOMATIC TRANSAXLE part of a 2002 Camry manual but I imagine the newer transmissions have something similar. I know in my moms 2012 Camry you can feel it downshifting as you slow down and at least come out of overdrive if you hit the brakes going downhill. And in my 2002 Camry it will drop out of OD if you hit the brakes going downhill. ---
**Author:** ![Hiroshi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/b5ac83/32.png) [@Hiroshi](https://community.cartalk.com/u/Hiroshi)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 12:47am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/automatic-transmission-toyota/88034/6 "2014-11-12T00:47:53Z")
Don’t take me wrong but, since this is a new vehicle to you. Do u have the OD canceled by chance? Otherwise, I would have the VSS checked to see it’s correct and shift solenoid checked. VSS staying correct seems to be a problem with older corolla’s. Simple fix. ---
**Author:** ![PvtPublic](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/pvtpublic/32/13089_2.png) [@PvtPublic](https://community.cartalk.com/u/PvtPublic)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 3:17am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/automatic-transmission-toyota/88034/7 "2014-11-12T03:17:41Z")
> VSS staying correct seems to be a problem with older corolla's. 2012 is now considered “older” ? ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 3:21am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/automatic-transmission-toyota/88034/8 "2014-11-12T03:21:57Z")
Jeeze, my 2005 must be considered ANCIENT!!! ---
**Author:** ![dagosa](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/dagosa/32/9837_2.png) [@dagosa](https://community.cartalk.com/u/dagosa)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 4:36am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/automatic-transmission-toyota/88034/9 "2014-11-12T04:36:53Z")
MAYBE, SOME DO DOWNSHIFT. I can’t say for sure about your Corolla, but my Tacoma definitely does. I initially thought it did only with the cruise control but find it does as I let up on the gas going down hill with out it on as well. SMB, you mean they made cars back in 2005 ? ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 6:45am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/automatic-transmission-toyota/88034/10 "2014-11-12T06:45:18Z")
LOL, yup! Great ones! ---
**Author:** ![SteveC76](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@SteveC76](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveC76)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 7:53am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/automatic-transmission-toyota/88034/11 "2014-11-12T07:53:46Z")
When you let completely off the gas the injectors are shut completely off until you either press the brake or the gas pedal. This is done to increase fuel mileage and reduce emissions. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 8:02am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/automatic-transmission-toyota/88034/12 "2014-11-12T08:02:22Z")
I think we can safely assume that OP’s transmission is behaving normally . . . ? ---
**Author:** ![SteveC76](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@SteveC76](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveC76)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 9:24am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/automatic-transmission-toyota/88034/13 "2014-11-12T09:24:27Z")
Yes it’s normal. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 9:49am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/automatic-transmission-toyota/88034/14 "2014-11-12T09:49:28Z")
Steve, may I ask where you’re getting this information? ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 10:05am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/automatic-transmission-toyota/88034/15 "2014-11-12T10:05:06Z")
Sounds like Steve might work at a Toyota dealer and really knows his stuff ---
**Author:** ![SteveC76](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/958977/32.png) [@SteveC76](https://community.cartalk.com/u/SteveC76)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 9:13pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/automatic-transmission-toyota/88034/16 "2014-11-12T21:13:48Z")
Db4680 hit the nail on the head, I have worked for Toyota/Lexus since 2002, before that I was with General Motors. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [November 12, 2014, 9:25pm UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/automatic-transmission-toyota/88034/17 "2014-11-12T21:25:46Z")
Interesting. I was unaware that the Corolla shut the injectors down and wondered if I should be learning something or questioning something. I’ve learned something. Thanks for responding. A tip of the hat to you, with the utmost respect. ---
**Author:** ![irlandes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/b5e925/32.png) [@irlandes](https://community.cartalk.com/u/irlandes)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2014, 7:56am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/automatic-transmission-toyota/88034/18 "2014-11-14T07:56:24Z")
I think my 2002 Sienna shuts down the injectors going down hill. Going down the 17 mile drop to Orizaba it definitely shuts them off. ---
**Author:** ![the\_same\_mountainbike](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/c89c15/32.png) [@the\_same\_mountainbike](https://community.cartalk.com/u/the_same_mountainbike)\ **Post date:** [November 14, 2014, 8:06am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/automatic-transmission-toyota/88034/19 "2014-11-14T08:06:24Z")
I find myself wondering now if my '05 tC shuts its injectors off. Unfortunately, since retiring I no longer have access to Toyota’s technical documents. I don’t miss working, but I really do miss that portal. ---
**Author:** ![db4690](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/cartalk/user_avatar/community.cartalk.com/db4690/32/2583_2.png) [@db4690](https://community.cartalk.com/u/db4690)\ **Post date:** [November 15, 2014, 5:59am UTC](https://community.cartalk.com/t/automatic-transmission-toyota/88034/20 "2014-11-15T05:59:22Z")
mountainbike You know that you could pay a modest fee to gain access to toyota’s website, for a few days . . . ? Those fees are actually tax deductible [Next page](https://community.cartalk.com/t/automatic-transmission-toyota/88034.md?page=2)